Horses in the Early Medieval (10th–13th c.) Religious Rituals of Slavs in Polish Areas—An Archaeozoological, Archaeological and Historical Overview

Abstract

Knowledge about horses from early medieval (10th–13th c.) Poland has been largely based on historical and archaeological data. Archaeozoological information has only been used to a limited extent. Therefore, this article aims to present the current state of knowledge on this subject, drawing on archaeozoological data from studies of horse bones. Apart from confirming earlier reflections regarding the sacred significance of the horse, additional information was obtained about specific individuals who were the subject of magical treatments. It turned out that sites with horse skeletons and skulls are few compared to the familiar presence of horse remains among kitchen waste. This contrasts with the neighbouring regions, where horses were buried more frequently among the Germans, Scandinavians and Prussians. Some new data have been obtained thanks to taphonomic analyses, which demonstrated that horse skulls of apotropaic status were not only exposed to public viewing but were also deposited under stronghold ramparts. Horses suffering from infectious diseases could also be buried under such ramparts. Considerations in the article lead to conclusions that horses were used in religious rituals as sacrificial animals, apotropaic deposits, as fortune-telling animals and cosmological figures.

Maintaining traditional values and looking for novel uses assure equines' survival as a species

“…However, while using horses' DESTA hair for various products and services care needs to be made not to adversely affect their welfare. According to Makowiecki et al (2022), equines are used in religious ceremonies as sacrificial animals, apotropaic deposits, animals for divination and cosmological figures. To keep equines in the hands of traditional communities, further research on their ritual values is required.…”

Rethinking Horse Domestication in North America: New Insights through

“…It is noteworthy that horses were a common motif in rock art and bone carvings, which undoubtedly served as a source of inspiration for people (27). The existence of cultural and religious connections with horses during this period cannot be dismissed, and these ties may have influenced later eras (20).…”

Together to Know: In search for Equus Spiritual Experience

“…For instance, horses have been fortune tellers in special ceremonies and cared for by the priests in the temples of Early Medieval Pomerania. This practice is called hippomancy (Makowiecki et al, 2022). Another example is, according to the Poetic Edda in Norse mythology, a shapeshifting god Loki, in the form of a mare, gave birth to an eight-legged horse Sleipnir.…”